CAIRO, May 3 (MENA) – Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed during a phone call with Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the US President on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs, the Egyptian-American relations and the extended strategic partnership between the two countries.

The call also covered the efforts exerted jointly to achieve peace and security in the Middle East and Africa.

The two sides exchanged views on several regional issues, topped by the latest developments in the Horn of Africa, Sudan, Libya, and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The minister reviewed Egypt’s vision regarding the challenges of peace and security in Africa, highlighting the importance of settling African conflicts and disputes via peaceful and political means.

Abdelatty underlined the intensive efforts exerted by the president to achieve security and stability in Africa and post-conflict reconstruction, stressing the importance of mobilizing international support to alleviate humanitarian suffering in conflict-affected areas.

Abdelatty affirmed Egypt’s full support for achieving security and stability in both Sudan and Somalia, asserting the necessity of respecting their sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

The call also addressed developments in Lebanon, where Abdelatty confirmed Egypt’s continued provision of all forms of support to Lebanon, its government, and national institutions to realize security and stability.

He expressed Egypt’s rejection of any violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the necessity to implement the ceasefire agreement, the immediate and full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and the full application of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 by all parties without selectivity.

Regarding developments in Syria, Minister Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s keenness to support the Syrian people and respect Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

He condemned the Israeli airstrike on the area adjacent to the presidential palace in Damascus, describing it as a breach of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

He affirmed Egypt’s rejection of any Israeli interference in Syrian affairs under any pretext.

He also stressed the necessity of launching an inclusive political process involving all segments of the Syrian society to overcome this critical phase.

At the end of the call, the two sides agreed to continue close coordination in the coming period to achieve the mutual interests of both countries, reflecting their shared commitment to confronting the current challenges facing Africa and the Middle East to achieve regional security and stability. (MENA)
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